Lifeless

"Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?

The lord took her away from me

She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good

So I can see my baby when I leave this world"

Draco was lying on the floor in a very dark room. Silence engulfed him and he couldn't see a single thing through the darkness. All through his body, he felt immense pain which made it a difficult task for him to move about. Since there was absolutely no light in the room to help his visibility, he decided to take out his wand for better assistance. He felt the pocket where he usually placed his wand, but there was nothing.

That's strange. I don't remember taking it out or losing it! But if it's not on me, then it must be somewhere on the floor, Draco thought as he felt the ground for his lost item. As soon as his fingers touched the floor, he felt some sort of liquid substance.

Could it be water? He thought and decided to test his question out by licking the liquid off his fingers. He still wasn't sure whether it was water or not, but it certainly did have a sort of "taste" to it. He searched more since the substance might lead him to the source, and after only a few seconds, he found it. And it was definitely not something he would rejoice about. His fingers had happened to come in contact with something else, and he knew instantly what it was since he had felt...

A hand! Bloody hell! He thought as he threw his arm back in disgust. If he indeed touched someone's hand, then the liquid substance that he tasted must've been blood. He immediately felt nauseated since he'd never thought in a million years would he have tasted blood of another. But who could the hand belong to? He must be beside a body but could this person still be alive?

"Wake up! Are you alright? Answer me!" he asked in desperation as he shook the body.

No answer. Just a lifeless corpse.

He felt so hopeless and alone that he was sure no one would be able to find him, and that he would have to die in this wretched room. His life must've been destined this way, even though he has tried so much to change his ways. He felt a shiver down his spine, and prepared for the worst to come.

He heard something creak and then the sound of footsteps. Yes, I'm going to be saved! Draco thought happily.

"Lumos."

What? How can that be? I still see pitch black! He wondered with curiousity.

"Who's there!" he yelled into the darkness. However, he was only responded with harsh laughter.

"Who are you? You've got to help me; I can't see anything and I think there's a body beside me!" he exclaimed.

This only resulted in even more cruel laughter.

"What's bloody wrong with you! You must help me! Please!" he yelled angrily.

"I'd never thought the day would come when you would beg for help on your knees... literally," the voice teased callously.

"What are you talking about! Are you going to bloody help me and this corpse get out of here or not!"

"Ahh, I see you've found him."

"Him? Who's him?"

"Well, I doubt you'd recognized him for two reasons."

"What? What are they?"

"First, he was so badly killed that his face is absolutely unrecognizable. All you could see is the bare insides of his head."

Draco felt as if he was going to vomit. He didn't need that information, especially at his greatest time of need.

"His name. Just tell me his name."

"I do not know it. He doesn't matter to me."

"Who are you?"

"That is not up for discussion."

"Fine, then. What's the second reason?"

"You're blind."

Had he heard the cold voice correctly? He couldn't be blind, could he? But that would explain the fact that he couldn't see any light when the person who the voice belonged to entered the room.

"H-how am I b-blind?"

"How else? You were being disobedient and this was your punishment."

Draco didn't know what to say. How defiant could he have been if being blind was his punishment?

"However, I do have an offer."

"What are you saying?" Draco asked curiously.

"I can get you out of this misery if you can do me one thing."

"And what's that?"

Just then, the room was filled with more noise that sounded much like footsteps.

"Ahh, perfect timing. We were just talking about you."

"Talking about who?" he asked.

"Draco?" a small, timid female voice asked.

"Who called my name?"

"Draco, it's me! Oh Merlin, what happened to you?" she cried out.

He recognized that familiar voice, but it can't be her. What would she be doing here out of all places?

"H-hermione? W-where are you?"

"Right here!" her soft tone grew harsher when she turned to the others who were around her, "Let go of me!"

Even though he was blind, he could sense that she was trying to fight off guards that surrounded her in order to get to him. His prediction was right when he felt her body against his, her arms flung around his neck.

"Oh, what have they done to your eyes?" she softly asked as she gently stroked his face. He winced when she touched his eyes, the area that has been hurting him the most.

"Stop this at once! Crucio!" the cold voice demanded.

Draco braced himself to feel the result of the spell, but nothing had hit him. Instead, the curse was intended for Hermione, who screamed loudly because of the immense pain.

"Stop what you're doing to her! Just let her go!"

"I don't think that's possible."

"Why?" Draco asked coldly. "She's done nothing wrong."

"You can stop putting on this act."

"What act?"

"You can stop being someone you're not. I can let you escape this barrier that she has put on you. I can guarantee you will be known as the most powerful wizard, and be praised upon by many, if you follow me."

"Draco, don't listen to him!" Hermione pleaded.

"Shut up, you filthy mudblood! No one can protect you here!"

"Leave her out of this! Just tell me what you want from me," Draco said angrily.

"For you to accept my offer. If you do, I assure you that you will receive many great rewards. However, if you refuse, I'm afraid there will be terrible consequences."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to kill her."

This can't be happening, Draco thought. That must be the reason why she's here.

"Why does it have to be her?"

"You are far too attached to her. We are purebloods, and we do not associate with anyone of lower statuses, especially her. Get rid of her, and you will have all the glory you crave for."

"And if I don't, then what will happen?"

"Simple. You die."

Draco was shocked by this deal he was given. He either had to kill to the girl he loved for power or sacrifice himself.

"I must remind you that you must not show your weaknesses. Malfoys are not known to act like that," the cold voice said.

"Who are you to say how my family should or should not behave!"

He was only responded by laughter, which infuriated him even more. "Will you stop bloody laughing and answer me!"

"Do not ever speak to me like that again! Crucio!"

The pain that hit him was worse than he had ever imagined. He felt as if he had lost control of his body, and collapsed onto the floor.

"Draco!" Hermione screamed out loud.

He groaned as she tried to lift him up, careful to not add more pain to his already aching body.

"Have you decided yet?" the voice asked impatiently.

"Do... you... not... see... the... pain... I'm... in?" Draco asked, taking a breath between each word.

"Of course as I am the one who caused it, but I do expect an answer. I do not have all day."

Draco already knew what his decision was, but didn't have enough strength to say it. After a while, he slowly stood up with some help from Hermione, and spoke again.

"I know what I have to do."

The voice feeling satisfied that he had finally knocked some sense into the boy replied back, "Have you really?"

The young Slytherin ignored his question, and instead spoke to the girl next to him.

"Hermione, you know I love you-"

"Yes, I know. I love you too," she softly said, interrupting his sentence.

"And I would do anything for you-"

"I would do anything for you too."

"You must forgive me for what I've done to you in the past-"

"Yes, I already did a long time ago."

"And I've always enjoyed the time we had together-"

"Me too."

"Even though people said I've betrayed you and that you don't mean anything to me is-"

"Wrong, I know. I don't believe them."

"I've never left your side, Hermione. I've always been there to protect you-"

"And I love you for that."

"Even if it means doing drastic things in order to ensure your safety-"

"Yes, I know. I would do the same for you."

"But this is one of those times that I feel I'm doing the right thing for the both of us-"

"I understand."

"What exactly is your decision, boy!" the voice exclaimed, tired of the young couple's conversation.

"I've decided that..." he paused before continuing, "that I think this whole ordeal is insane, and that I would rather die a horrible death than have Hermione suffer."

"Is that so?" the voice scowled.

"Yes and also I think you should go to hell whoever you are for making us go through all of this."

"You always can't seem to shut that mouth of yours, can you? I must say, you should choose wiser words or it will lead you to terrible consequences."

Draco was about to reply, but it was too late since the voice shouted out, "Avada Kedavra!"

He knew he was done for. He had expected this since he had done the one thing that the voice didn't want him to do.

"Draco! Noo!!" he heard Hermione cry out as he was hit by the Death Curse. He plummeted to the floor, taking in his last breath as he fell. There would be no more suffering, he hoped. Someone would come and save Hermione, and everything will be alright; he was certain of that. She wouldn't have to be involved in any of the mess that he created in his life, and she would be happy with hers. Her sweet, soft voice calling out his name still lingered in the air...

Draco...

Draco...

"DRACO!"

His eyes immediately opened when someone yelled out his name. He looked around and saw a brown-haired girl standing over him.

"Wha-at?" he asked in a very sleepy, and annoyed tone.

"Are you alright?"

He gazed right at Hermione, and noticed how she always seemed so innocent. Was it only a while ago that he had dreamed that he had to either kill her or die himself?

"What are you staring at?" she asked, slightly self-conscious that someone was looking at her.

"You look beautiful this morning," he replied with a smile.

"Only this morning? What about all the other times?" she teased.

"Slightly unnerving?" he said as she rolled her eyes, and hit him playfully on the arm.

"Seriously, are you alright? I saw that you were sweating in your sleep, and thought something was wrong."

"No, don't worry, nothing's wrong," he reassured.

"Okay then. I'm just going to go down to the Great Hall for breakfast. I'll see you there," she said before she gave him a peck on the cheek. He smiled as she happily walked out of the room, leaving him behind to get ready.

He knew something was definitely up, but he just couldn't quite put his finger on it.

A/N: Thank you guys for your reviews..I really appreciate it :). I hope you liked this chapter!